A rush of Kila Park adrenalin

By NAISA KOROI

Adrenalin – one word that sums up my “Crazy wild life, Learn and Explore’ Kila Eco Adventure Park experience.
For the many brave and courageous men and women who have put themselves to the test at the park, they would agree with me completely. Others may have their own definition, but nonetheless we would all draw one conclusion about Kila Eco Adventure Park – FUN!
Fourteen selected staff members of the Fiji Sun took on the challenge at Kila Park; a one-day team bonding programme initiated by its managers.
Kila Park has a special programme for companies to build team work. we were the first of what will become a company wide programme at the Fiji Sun.
I, and a few others in our group, knew very little about Kila Park nor did we have any idea of what was instore for us. Our adventure day was Wednesday, August 1 and we had to report to the office at Walu Bay by 8am.
Getting up very early for work is not something I would like to boast about (not to mention I wasn’t too enthusiastic about getting up at 5am either). However, if there was any excuse to stay away from the office for one day, I couldn’t let this opportunity slip by – no offence Peter Lomas.
I signed in at around 7.30am and I noticed that a few members of our tour party had checked in already – Ellen Stolz (Business News), Paulini Koroiwaqa (Circulation), Shaleshni Chand and Anish Sharma (Accounts).
Later, Jonathan Bryce and Ani Naulu from Classifieds showed up. Others started to pour in like Samu Petaia and Salen Prasad (Production), Vanivasa Pone (Circulation), Rajnel Prasad (Marketing) and Sisila Jayasiri (Chief Operating Officer). Our last group member was Viliame Nimilote (Accounts), who replaced Rinu Shyyam (Reporter).
Bound for Namosi (heading towards Navua) our road trip to Kila Park lasted a good 30 minutes on the Queens Highway.
We made a right turn onto a dirt road (opposite Nabukavesi Village) where a huge billboard pointed the direction to the park. We had to endure a dusty ride briefly (three minutes tops) before we reached the park entrance.
The first thing that grabbed my attention were these high-rise wooden poles towering above us; they were at least 20 metres high.
Right next to these wooden towers was the information bure or our meeting point. Here, we were greeted by Kila Park leading instructor, Semisi, and his team.
The welcome exchange was short as our team scrambled to change into something comfortable while the rest were busy signing documents.
With everyone in our team set to roll, we head for the lower ropes where our day’s programme begins.
The stroll through the forest was short but refreshing because we city people rarely get the opportunity to breathe fresh jungle air – let alone hear the wild sounds of enchanting forests.
At point A, we were given a brief introduction from Semisi and his team. There was only one female instructor.
Then our group was split in two and two activities were placed before us – the ‘spider web’ and the ropes. The ropes required a lot more work because it needed great team work and communication.
This involved walking along a thin cable that ran from one tree to another (I counted five at least) without touching the ground; if you did the entire team would have start from the beginning again. The ropes were about knee high.
Each section required a different technique, skill, strength, wisdom and ability to tackle. The group was shouting ideas about getting from one point to the next, and I must say, it can get strenuous and frustrating at times but the point is, every one spoke the same language.
Our team got through the ropes exhausted, bruised, some experienced wobbly feet and were weak in the knees, while some made several attempts to pass the third and fourth stages, but they gave up eventually. However, we could honestly say that we made every effort to reach the end.
Next was the ‘spider web’! By this time the second group was attempting the ropes. The spider web was less strenuous and after tackling the ropes, working on the web was a blessing. This was fun too! The task was much easier and we did it in good time.
As the other team completed their work on the ropes, our instructor Semisi requested that we regroup before we head to our next challenge – the trust wall. This was fun, in its own way, but the lesson here was that we had to learn to trust our team members. With all these activities combined, we learned the importance of working and communicating effectively as a unit, but overall trusting your fellow colleagues. Individually, we were able to identify our own weaknesses as well.
Our lunch break was approaching and by this time, we were all very hungry. Lunch was light and simple with banana, muffin, chocolate biscuit and salad wrapped in roti (I think), but very thin. Our one-hour lunch break was a good time to recuperate and I drank a lot of water too – I think I drank four litres of water.
Back at our meeting point, Semisi and his team got us strapped up for the high-rise activities. This included the two and three strand bridge, islands in the sky, multi-vine, catwalk, Burma bridge, the dangle duo, leap of faith and my favourite, the Kila giant swing – this was an absolute blast.
These activities focused more on individual ability in my opinion.
The walk through the strands, the islands in the sky, the catwalk, etc, were all very scary at first glance because it’s not every day that one gets to do these things – dangling 20m high with only a single line tied to you as the only means of your life support. These high-rise walks was a rush; the adrenalin was certainly pumping yet, through each stage, the only way to achieve the task was to take one step at a time.
I wouldn’t dare to look down – not that I am afraid of heights – but I knew it would be a distraction so I opted to think of something else, attempting the task with a clear mind, without fear.
Like I said earlier, these final activities were scary and each individual had to find the courage and face their fears to accomplish the task.
This was where I take my hat off to Jonathan. He was probably one of the two heaviest members in our group, yet seeing Jonathan let loose 20m high on the giant swing was the toast of the day – a big thumbs up!
From a scale of 1 to 10, I give Kila Eco Adventure Park a definite 10. It’s a great outing for the family and friends too! The entire programme has been a blast and the Fiji Sun managers must be commended for initiating the idea. Many other corporate bodies did the same and it is interesting to note that many of these corporate bodies have made more than one visit.
Another notable aspect is the great reception from the Kila Park instructors. No doubt, they were experienced and spoke like real professionals – making sure that they guided us safely with every attempt. A big plus for any visitor to the park.
The Kila Adventure Park is definitely a ‘must do’ on your list and I would highly recommend a family day. It would be a story itself for the children. If you are afraid of heights, then this is the place to be to shake off that fear syndrome. Besides, the brochure did say: “You’ve gotta be fearless to do this”.

Adrenalin – one word that sums up my “Crazy wild life, Learn and Explore’ Kila Eco Adventure Park experience.
For the many brave and courageous men and women who have put themselves to the test at the park, they would agree with me completely. Others may have their own definition, but nonetheless we would all draw one conclusion about Kila Eco Adventure Park – FUN!
Fourteen selected staff members of the Fiji Sun took on the challenge at Kila Park; a one-day team bonding programme initiated by its managers.
Kila Park has a special programme for companies to build team work. we were the first of what will become a company wide programme at the Fiji Sun.
I, and a few others in our group, knew very little about Kila Park nor did we have any idea of what was instore for us. Our adventure day was Wednesday, August 1 and we had to report to the office at Walu Bay by 8am.
Getting up very early for work is not something I would like to boast about (not to mention I wasn’t too enthusiastic about getting up at 5am either). However, if there was any excuse to stay away from the office for one day, I couldn’t let this opportunity slip by – no offence Peter Lomas.
I signed in at around 7.30am and I noticed that a few members of our tour party had checked in already – Ellen Stolz (Business News), Paulini Koroiwaqa (Circulation), Shaleshni Chand and Anish Sharma (Accounts).
Later, Jonathan Bryce and Ani Naulu from Classifieds showed up. Others started to pour in like Samu Petaia and Salen Prasad (Production), Vanivasa Pone (Circulation), Rajnel Prasad (Marketing) and Sisila Jayasiri (Chief Operating Officer). Our last group member was Viliame Nimilote (Accounts), who replaced Rinu Shyyam (Reporter).
Bound for Namosi (heading towards Navua) our road trip to Kila Park lasted a good 30 minutes on the Queens Highway.
We made a right turn onto a dirt road (opposite Nabukavesi Village) where a huge billboard pointed the direction to the park. We had to endure a dusty ride briefly (three minutes tops) before we reached the park entrance.
The first thing that grabbed my attention were these high-rise wooden poles towering above us; they were at least 20 metres high.
Right next to these wooden towers was the information bure or our meeting point. Here, we were greeted by Kila Park leading instructor, Semisi, and his team.
The welcome exchange was short as our team scrambled to change into something comfortable while the rest were busy signing documents.
With everyone in our team set to roll, we head for the lower ropes where our day’s programme begins.
The stroll through the forest was short but refreshing because we city people rarely get the opportunity to breathe fresh jungle air – let alone hear the wild sounds of enchanting forests.
At point A, we were given a brief introduction from Semisi and his team. There was only one female instructor.
Then our group was split in two and two activities were placed before us – the ‘spider web’ and the ropes. The ropes required a lot more work because it needed great team work and communication.
This involved walking along a thin cable that ran from one tree to another (I counted five at least) without touching the ground; if you did the entire team would have start from the beginning again. The ropes were about knee high.
Each section required a different technique, skill, strength, wisdom and ability to tackle. The group was shouting ideas about getting from one point to the next, and I must say, it can get strenuous and frustrating at times but the point is, every one spoke the same language.
Our team got through the ropes exhausted, bruised, some experienced wobbly feet and were weak in the knees, while some made several attempts to pass the third and fourth stages, but they gave up eventually. However, we could honestly say that we made every effort to reach the end.
Next was the ‘spider web’! By this time the second group was attempting the ropes. The spider web was less strenuous and after tackling the ropes, working on the web was a blessing. This was fun too! The task was much easier and we did it in good time.
As the other team completed their work on the ropes, our instructor Semisi requested that we regroup before we head to our next challenge – the trust wall. This was fun, in its own way, but the lesson here was that we had to learn to trust our team members. With all these activities combined, we learned the importance of working and communicating effectively as a unit, but overall trusting your fellow colleagues. Individually, we were able to identify our own weaknesses as well.
Our lunch break was approaching and by this time, we were all very hungry. Lunch was light and simple with banana, muffin, chocolate biscuit and salad wrapped in roti (I think), but very thin. Our one-hour lunch break was a good time to recuperate and I drank a lot of water too – I think I drank four litres of water.
Back at our meeting point, Semisi and his team got us strapped up for the high-rise activities. This included the two and three strand bridge, islands in the sky, multi-vine, catwalk, Burma bridge, the dangle duo, leap of faith and my favourite, the Kila giant swing – this was an absolute blast.
These activities focused more on individual ability in my opinion.
The walk through the strands, the islands in the sky, the catwalk, etc, were all very scary at first glance because it’s not every day that one gets to do these things – dangling 20m high with only a single line tied to you as the only means of your life support. These high-rise walks was a rush; the adrenalin was certainly pumping yet, through each stage, the only way to achieve the task was to take one step at a time.
I wouldn’t dare to look down – not that I am afraid of heights – but I knew it would be a distraction so I opted to think of something else, attempting the task with a clear mind, without fear.
Like I said earlier, these final activities were scary and each individual had to find the courage and face their fears to accomplish the task.
This was where I take my hat off to Jonathan. He was probably one of the two heaviest members in our group, yet seeing Jonathan let loose 20m high on the giant swing was the toast of the day – a big thumbs up!
From a scale of 1 to 10, I give Kila Eco Adventure Park a definite 10. It’s a great outing for the family and friends too! The entire programme has been a blast and the Fiji Sun managers must be commended for initiating the idea. Many other corporate bodies did the same and it is interesting to note that many of these corporate bodies have made more than one visit.
Another notable aspect is the great reception from the Kila Park instructors. No doubt, they were experienced and spoke like real professionals – making sure that they guided us safely with every attempt. A big plus for any visitor to the park.
The Kila Adventure Park is definitely a ‘must do’ on your list and I would highly recommend a family day. It would be a story itself for the children. If you are afraid of heights, then this is the place to be to shake off that fear syndrome. Besides, the brochure did say: “You’ve gotta be fearless to do this”.

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Posted by newsroom on August 5, 2012. Filed under Island News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.